Entry Level Distribution Engineer

Job Title: Distribution Engineer

Job Description

The Distribution Engineer supports power distribution infrastructure upgrades and storm hardening projects across Florida, with an initial focus on utility clients in the region. This role combines office-based engineering and design work with periodic field visits to assess existing conditions and collect data. The engineer performs calculations and prepares construction design packages for overhead-to-underground conversions, cable replacement, reconductoring, and pole replacement, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective power distribution systems that meet utility standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform engineering calculations and design for replacing deteriorating cable, relocating overhead lines to underground, reconductoring existing distribution lines, and replacing aging poles.
• Conduct structural analysis of poles, including guying requirements, to ensure safe loading and compliance with applicable standards.
• Perform engineering calculations related to cable pulling, electric demand, fault currents, and coordination of protective devices.
• Conduct site visits and take detailed field notes, including visual inspections, equipment inventories, measurements, sketches, photographs, and documentation of field conditions.
• Compare field data to base plans and reconcile discrepancies to ensure accurate designs.
• Evaluate loading of equipment components such as transformers and pole structures to ensure cost-effective, safe, and reliable designs using client specifications.
• Review and interpret design manuals, standards, and details from local jurisdictions and utilities.
• Determine and specify design requirements based on field data, client standards, and applicable regulations.
• Perform electric distribution designs using field notes and utility standards, including both overhead and underground configurations.
• Design and draft construction drawings using standard engineering fundamentals for approval by federal, state, and local agencies.
• Prepare complete project and job packages using appropriate software, including material estimates and material requisitions for distribution electrical designs.
• Review plans for proposed construction projects to determine potential impacts on existing distribution systems and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Develop solutions to conductor and structural clearance violations and related issues in existing systems.
• Develop final design plan packages for implementation of proposed solutions, ensuring constructability and compliance with standards.
• Ensure all assigned projects fulfill ISO compliance requirements and internal quality standards.
• Participate in bi-weekly, or more frequent as needed, project team meetings to review progress, address issues, and coordinate tasks.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, utility clients, customers, and developers to clarify requirements and support project execution.
• Provide quality control (QC) review of design work, as appropriate, to maintain accuracy and consistency.
• Utilize design software tools such as BOUD, Bentley Open Utility Designer, Smallworld, AutoCAD, and related systems to create and manage distribution designs.
• Travel periodically for out-of-town field work, which may require an overnight stay or a full day of driving, using either a company vehicle or personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from a four-year ABET-accredited college or university.
• Prior work experience (engineering experience is not required, but some professional work experience is mandatory).
• Interest in the power, energy, or utilities industry.
• Understanding of basic engineering theories and principles.
• Understanding of basic practices for researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting those recommendations.
• Ability to perform electric distribution design work, including primary and secondary distribution systems, in alignment with utility standards.
• Ability to use design software packages for distribution design and drafting.
• General construction knowledge and aptitude related to utility infrastructure.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate frequently with customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with self-motivation, initiative, and a desire to learn.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to conduct field work, including site visits, measurements, photographs, and preparation of field reports.
• Ability to interpret and apply design manuals, standards, and details from local jurisdictions and utilities.
• Ability to perform structural loading evaluations for poles and equipment to ensure safe and reliable designs.
• Proficiency or ability to learn tools such as BOUD, Bentley Open Utility Designer, Smallworld, and AutoCAD for power distribution design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience or basic knowledge of concepts in the electric utility industry, including primary and secondary distribution systems and utility standards.
• Experience in distribution design on utility systems, including work on major regional utility networks.
• Experience interacting with customers and developers on distribution projects.
• Current knowledge of BOUD/Maximo, Smallworld, and MicroStation.
• Experience with QC processes for engineering or design deliverables.
• EIT certification or having passed the Engineering Fundamentals (FE) exam.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience.
• Familiarity with grid modernization concepts and overhead and underground line design.
• Experience working within ISO-compliant quality systems.
• Experience working in a collaborative, project-based engineering environment.

Work Environment

The role is primarily based in a Class A office environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern engineering tools. You work alongside experienced technical leaders and project teams in a collaborative and supportive setting that emphasizes professional growth, mentoring, and continuous learning. The company fosters an employee-owned culture where contributions directly influence success and where employees can participate in impactful power infrastructure projects, including renewable energy integration and data center initiatives. The environment includes flexible work arrangements, with potential remote work options depending on project needs. Comprehensive benefits typically include health coverage, retirement savings with company match, and tuition reimbursement to support ongoing development. Periodic field work is required, which involves travel for site visits, sometimes requiring an overnight stay or a full day of driving using either a company vehicle or personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement. Design work makes use of advanced software and systems for overhead and underground line design, supporting innovation and grid modernization efforts, all within a professional office setting with standard business attire.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tampa, FL.

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $29.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Tampa,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 24, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.